2026 Minutes

Fleet Parish Council

Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council Meeting held on 24th February 2026 at 7.00pm

Councillors present: Councillors Barnes (Chair), Hammersley, C Penney, E Penney, McKendry (from Item 2)

Councillors absent: None.

Also present: Cllr Neil Carey, Lincolnshire County Council, Neil Watson, Clerk & RFO and three (two from item 2) members of the public.

 

PUBLIC FORUM – Incorporating reports from elected members of Lincolnshire County Council & South Holland District Council

 

Councillor Neil Carey attended his first Fleet Parish Council meeting as our county councillor. He said that potholes are a very hot topic at County Hall - there are now 48 teams deployed on repairs (double the normal number). Cllr Carey is happy to have reports of highway defects copied to him (email address circulated) as well as via the online system. He undertook to look into the Rowan tree roots in the payment on Old Main Road by the War Memorial councillor. Cllr Carey advised that the urgent repairs on the A17 at Gedney are to be attended to in very near future. FPC councillors suggested that when a stretch of road receives attention all disrepair should be dealt with rather than selected individual potholes. Cllr Barnes requested a listing of all outstanding highway repairs for our area. He also asked Cllr Carey to look into the matters of double yellow lines outside Fleet Road garage and the large pothole at the entrance to Princes Street.

Councillor Barnes gave his District Councillor’s report, starting with a further update on the new waste collection arrangements. The waste policy has been signed off with a review after twelve months. Wheelie bins are likely to be distributed in the autumn. A first explainer will be sent out with the Council Tax bills, SHDC have appointed two engagement officers to support the transition. Parish Councillors and the Clerk will be available to assist Parishioners with any questions. Councillors suggested that SHDC should consider offering a chargeable trade waste collection (charged by weight), and that the recycling centres (LCC responsibility) should be open seven days a week for extended hours during the transition and hopefully beyond. The original decision to move to wheelie bins was made by Cabinet not full Council. Arrangements for the emptying of street waste bins remain unchanged.

The 2026/27 budget decision is due on 26th February with a balanced budget being proposed.

Agenda Item 1: To receive, consider and accept apologies for absence.

No apologies as all Councillors present, meeting is quorate.

Agenda Item 2: Receive applications (if any) for the office of Parish Councillor and to co-opt a candidate to fill the existing vacancy.

An application was received from Mrs Sue McKendry. It was proposed by Cllr C Penney, seconded by Cllr Hammersley, all in favour that Mrs McKendry be co-opted to the position of Councillor. Mrs McKendry signed the Declaration of Acceptance of office and joined the meeting. (Minute reference 26/007)

Agenda Item 3: Receive declarations of interest on agenda items.

No declarations were made.

Agenda Item 4: Approve the minutes of the meeting on 19th January 2026

The minutes (with a small amendment to item 5a amending the vote from all in favour to 3 in favour, 1 abstention) were accepted by acclaim and duly signed by the Chair. (Minute reference 26/008)

 

Agenda Item 5: Financial Matters

a. Reconciliation of Bank account for January 2026

The reconciliation was agreed as correct by acclaim and signed by the Chair. (Minute reference 26/009)

b. Payment of invoices

The payments list was agreed by acclaim (Minute reference 26/010)

Agenda Item 6: Reports on or from:

a. Playing Field and Pavilion Working Party

b. Pavilion Refurbishment

c. Installation of benches and tables

d. Fund Raising and Grants Working Party

e. Submitted Grant Applications

f. War Memorial & Amenities Working Party (including Cherry Lane)

g. Observations following asset inspections.

 

Cllr Barnes gave a consolidated report as follows:

Councillor Barnes started his report by thanking the builder for his excellent work on the pavilion refurbishment’ the work was done on time and within budget. The final invoice has been agreed and paid. The chair has produced a presentation of the ongoing works for future use.

With the pavilion works now complete a donation has been made by Cllr E Penney of 36 mugs, other small items still need to be added.

The signage inside is complete.

The pavilion should be used as much as possible but must be kept clean and tidy to an as-new standard. To that end the suggestion is to employ a contract cleaner for a short time each week; both in the pavilion and possibly also to empty the dog bins. This was supported by acclaim. (Minute reference 26/011)

There will be no rental charges for community events but a contribution to electric cost will be required.

Brewers Decorator Centre generously donated the paint for the pavilion; our thanks go to them.

Visits around the pavilion will be arranged for previous users who have expressed an interest on the Facebook group.

Installation of the hard standings for the benches and tables will commence as we move into spring.

The Football Association grant application is being assessed; we are looking for other funding opportunities.

The SPF funding is now fully paid.

The War Memorial is in good condition; Cherry Lane plot is also thriving.

The tree overhanging the War Memorial was referred to in the county councillor’s report above. The playground annual inspection report has been received.

The wet area in the entrance to the play area needs to be converted to hard standing.

 

Agenda Item 7: Correspondence Received

a. Bus Shelter damage – insurance quotation

A quotation has been received from Shelter Solutions in the sum of £6450+VAT for a like-for-like replacement of the bus shelter on Old Main Road. The shelter was damaged beyond repair by a Stagecoach bus in January 2026 and their insurers have accepted liability. The quotation has been passed to Stagecoach’s insurers for action.

b. Verge Grass Cutting Quotation

A quotation from South Holland District Council in the sum of £1318.50 for the cutting of Lincolnshire County Council verges was discussed, and Councillors resolved by acclaim to DECLINE the quotation. (Minute reference 26/012) The Chair agreed to send information to LCC councillor to see if funds could be obtained from LCC towards cutting the grass areas they own.

c. Litter picking – including ‘The Great British Spring Clean’.

The Clerk presented details of Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean. It was agreed to join in this initiative and use it as an opportunity to try and form a ‘Fleet Wombles’ group. Cllr Barnes proposed a Saturday event with refreshments at the pavilion to drum up support.

Agenda Item 8: Speedwatch Initiative.

A session is scheduled for Lowgate shortly after this meeting, the record sheet will be passed to the Clerk for processing.

The group currently has eleven members but is always looking for more.

Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership are supplying some of the fluorescent 30mph warning signs.

Agenda Item 9: Planning Matters

Applications received:

 

H05-0150-26 Delph Bank Touring Park – new application today, research and comments to follow.

H05-0137-26 5 Cross Street – Councillors have no objections.

 

Decisions Received:

 

H05-1257-25 44 Fleet Road – application approved.

 

Planning appeal submitted:

 

H05-0861-25 Land adjacent to 14 Cross Street

 

Full details of all planning matters can be found at www.sholland.gov.uk.

Agenda Item 10: Forward Planning & Events

a. Fleet Summer Fete 14th June 2026

 

A big thank you was extended to Sue & Geoff Donley for all the efforts with arrangements for the fete, including the publicity artwork.

The notes from the fete working party held on 5th February were discussed.

It was agreed by acclaim that the budget provision of £1000 is available to spend on the Fete as required. (Minute reference 26/013)

 

Agenda Item 11: Litter Picking Role – change of duties.

 

This matter was covered under Item 6

 

Agenda Item 12: Review of car park extension

 

Councillors are keen to move onto the second phase of converting the carpark to hard standing. A supply of road chippings may be available; funds for other materials and labour will need to be sourced from an external funder or Parish Council borrowing. Clerk to provide details of Public Works Loan Board funding.

 

Agenda Item 13: SHDC Activity Day, 27th July

The Activity Day based at and around the Pavilion will take place on Monday 27th July 2026.

Agenda Item 14: Use of Pavilion

See Item 6 above.

Suggestions from Councillors included a Party in the Park and a Music Festival. Clle E Penney is to investigate.

Agenda Item 15. To Note Date of Next Meeting – Monday 16th March 2026 – Fleet Hargate Community Centre

Agenda Item 16. Resolve to go into Closed session to discuss mileage reimbursement for official PC business.

 

Councillors resolved that no change will be made to the current arrangements.

 

Meeting Closed: 8.50 pm.